What the Los Angeles Clippers should do with their full roster

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Los Angeles Clippers executive board member Jerry West (L) and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer talk as they attend a 2018 NBA Summer League game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 92-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Los Angeles Clippers executive board member Jerry West (L) and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer talk as they attend a 2018 NBA Summer League game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 92-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
2 of 2
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JANUARY 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on January 5, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JANUARY 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on January 5, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)

A trade needs to be made

If the Clippers can get Kawhi Leonard, he fits in perfect in their new apparently defensive-minded system. He is defensive anchor who is also a versatile scoring superstar and would launch the Clippers back to contention.

The best option would be to wait it out and hope Kawhi joins as a free agent during the summer of 2019. However, is it worth the risk to leave it up to Kawhi?

The Clippers have as good as a shot as the Lakers to give Leonard a new home team. Grabbing Kawhi by any means necessary should still be priority, even if that means trading a few players and late picks to rent him for the year. They would then have the full season to convince him that re-signing is the right move for his career.

However, trade talks have cooled off momentarily, due to the Spurs asking price being way too high. This could change after the Spurs lost Tony Parker and Kyle Anderson per Clipperholics, Brian Cullen.

The Clippers are in a perfect place to strike and cause another blockbuster trade, this time adding a defensive superstar in Leonard. Everyone wins in this scenario: Kawhi gets to play for his hometown in LA, the Clippers add a superstar and the Spurs get back players for Leonard and still screw over the Lakers!